Speaker gives perspectives of Christianity, Islam

Muslims' and Christians' mutual concern for evangelism historically has been problematic, but the Rev. John Loum said there are ways the two groups can get along during a presentation Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Loum, a native of Gambia who was raised as a Muslim, said he knows from experience what tactics work to facilitate conversation and which can alienate.

He began by explaining what the world may look like in the near future, using a video presentation to examine religious demographics in Europe.

"Europe as we know it will cease to exist," the video announcer said, citing statistical models that anticipate increased Islamic immigration. "The world is changing. It's time to wake up."

Loum said evangelism isn't just for missionaries like the ones who introduced him to Christianity in west Africa.

"I met numerous missionaries in Gambia who told me how Christian America is," he said, before shrugging and chuckling. "Until I get to America, I realized that this is hardly the truth."

He said seeing the hallmarks of secular society in America -- joggers, people mowing lawns on the sabbath, etc. -- was a shock initially.

"America is one of the most tolerant nations," he said. "We are so forgiving, so tolerant, that we just give away our faith. We sell our faith."

Loum, now director of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Technology at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, said Christians ought to be more vigorous in their practice.

"Hold on. Stand for Christ and for his kingdom," Loum told the crowd of over 100 people.

When he asked who among those gathered knew a Muslim personally, about a dozen hands went up.

"They are already coming. They are already here," he said. "They are our friends, our doctors, our neighbors, mechanics, college professors, you name it."

These personal relationships, he said, are where conversion happens.

"It is incumbent upon you ... to go and tell the story of Jesus," he said, urging Christians to use "welcoming friendship, relationship, and smiles" to greet Muslims.

But he cautioned against believing the notion the God of Christianity and Islam are one and the same.

"That's the most terrible mistake Christians can make," he said. "It is erroneous ... a fallacy to say the Muslim God and the Christian God are the same."

Not everyone agreed with Loum on that point, however, and one man raised his hand to object during the presentation.

"I didn't think they were the same until I read Genesis," the man said.

"Read Genesis 21. It'll tell you."

But Loum asserted the concept of the holy trinity makes the Christian God "vastly different" from that of Islam.

"You see the logic? If we had the same God, then what's the point?" Loum said.

He also pointed out conflicts are usually as much about culture as they are about theological technicalities.

"They don't see you or me going to church. They see the Hollywood nonsense," he said. "The Hollywood they see defines the culture of this country, so you see how we need to behave well?"

Amee and her husband, the Rev. Mark Boettcher, were part of the audience and said the presentation was stimulating.

"For me, it's a strong topic in our world these days," Amee said. "It confirms to me more that we need to love Muslims through Christ. That's the only way ... not fearing and staying away."

Mark said the major takeaway for him was to approach each person with respect for their dignity as a human being.

"Certainly it's important to be patient, to be knowledgeable and to be genuine," he said.

Loum concluded his presentation with a call to action.

"Treat [Muslims] kindly, lovingly, and with hospitality," he said. "Do not argue. Always avoid getting into debate. It doesn't take you anywhere. Always be in a sharing, loving mood with Muslims."

tgraef@semissourian.com

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